Abstract
Large earthenware storage vessels, known as pithoi, were very widespread in the Mediterranean Basin area, both in domestic and non-domestic contexts, throughout the entire Bronze Age. From a technological point of view, due to their large dimensions, the production of pithoi is very demanding and requires highly skilled and expert artisans. However, despite their large diffusion and their prominent role in resource management, pithoi have received less attention in terms of research in comparison to other types of vessels; technological studies, in particular, stand out for their relative rarity. Indeed, experimental approaches are scant, thus preventing a comprehensive understanding of the manufacturing process of pithoi. This paper presents the preliminary results of two experimental sessions dedicated to the examination of the use of the wheel in the manufacture of these large clay containers. Experimental vessels have been analysed by way of the naked eye and through X-ray analysis.
Highlights
Pithoi, large earthenware storage vessels, were widespread in the Mediterranean area, both in domestic and nondomestic contexts, such as palaces and temples, throughout the Bronze Age (Bevan, 2014; Cyprus: Pilides, 2000; Shuster Keswani, 2009; Crete: Christakis, 2005; Privitera, 2010; Northern Greece: Margomenou and Roumpou, 2011; Anatolia: Kibaroğlu and Thumm-Doğrayan, 2013; Southern Italy and Sicily: Guglielmino, 1999; Schiappelli, 2003; 2015; and Veca, 2015)
This paper presents the initial results from two different experimental sessions dedicated to the investigation of the use of the wheel to produce large clay containers
The methodology applied in this study consists of a combination of experimental archaeology, macroscopic inspection and X-ray analysis in order to address the identification and investigation of the pithoi-manufacturing process
Summary
Large earthenware storage vessels, were widespread in the Mediterranean area, both in domestic and nondomestic contexts, such as palaces and temples, throughout the Bronze Age (Bevan, 2014; Cyprus: Pilides, 2000; Shuster Keswani, 2009; Crete: Christakis, 2005; Privitera, 2010; Northern Greece: Margomenou and Roumpou, 2011; Anatolia: Kibaroğlu and Thumm-Doğrayan, 2013; Southern Italy and Sicily: Guglielmino, 1999; Schiappelli, 2003; 2015; and Veca, 2015). The importance of pithoi and pitharakia in the Mediterranean is further attested to by their continued production until more recent times, as verified through ethnographic research (Hampe and Winter, 1962; Voyatzoglou, 1974; Blitzer, 1990; Giannopoulou and Demesticha, 2008; Giannopoulou, 2010). Due to their demanding manufacturing process, pithoi are considered a form of specialised pottery production (Levi, 1999; Giannopoulou, 2010, pp.55–77), and studies on their production technology potentially allow scholars to gather information about productive systems, craft skills, different. Independent of the specific techniques utilised, wheel-made vessels present macro traces such as horizontal and parallel rilling striations and grooves on their surfaces. It is necessary to explore the relationship between formation techniques/methods and macro traces on vessels made by way of experiment
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